Lincecum Freak-like in 148-pitch no-hitter

Giants righty struck out 13 in gem vs. Padres late Saturday night

Associated Press

Associated Press

Published 10:19 pm, Sunday, July 14, 2013

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 14: Tim Lincecum #55 of the San Francisco Giants looks out from the dugout before a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on July 14, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 163494573

That was no small matter, considering that Lincecum threw 148 pitches in his first career no-hitter Saturday night.

The Freak, indeed.

While he was still trying to put his no-hitter into perspective, Lincecum said his arm was OK after his incredible effort in the San Francisco Giants' 9-0 victory against the last-place San Diego Padres.

"I haven't played catch yet but right now I feel good," he said, sitting in the dugout an hour before the defending World Series champion Giants were defeated by the Padres 10-1 on Sunday.

Lincecum looks different now that he's cut his long hair, and he doesn't throw quite as hard as he used to. One thing hasn't changed, though. Lincecum has never iced his arm after starts, including his 148-pitch performance.

It turns out there was no ice of any kind Saturday night.

"Not even in the drinks that I didn't have last night," he said with a laugh.

"I said to him, 'One time, can you ice it?'" manager Bruce Bochy recalled.

Lincecum, a two-time NL Cy Young Award winner, said he had a low-key celebration. He spoke by phone with his father and spent time with his girlfriend and his two dogs. He said he didn't get to sleep until around 3:30 a.m.

"I woke up today, so I'm good," he said.

Lincecum said his family and friends "get more excited than I do just because it's hard for me to kind of realize and take in what's going on."